"A revelatory and wholly fascinating work of history. Superbly researched and written with gripping fluency, this lost secret of World War II espionage finally has its expert chronicler."
- WILLIAM BOYD
'Gripping and intoxicating, it unfolds like the best screenplay.'
- NICHOLAS SHAKESPEARE
The astonishing story of the British spies who set out to draw America into World War II.
As World War II raged into its second year, Britain sought a powerful ally to join its cause--but the American public was sharply divided on the subject. The Canadian-born MI6 officer William Stephenson, with his knowledge and influence in North America, was chosen to change their minds by any means necessary.
In this extraordinary tale of foreign influence on American shores, Henry Hemming shows how Stephenson came to New York--hiring Canadian staffers to keep his operations secret--and flooded the American market with propaganda supporting Franklin Roosevelt and decrying Nazism. His chief opponent was Charles Lindbergh, an insurgent populist who campaigned under the slogan "America First," and had no interest in the war. This set up a shadow duel between Lindbergh and Stephenson, each trying to turn public opinion his way, with the lives of millions potentially on the line.

Agents of Influence: A British Plot, a Canadian Spy, and the Secret Effort to Bring America into World War II

Agents of Influence: The British Plot to Change America's Mind

Our man in New York

Henry Hemming

New York: PublicAffairs

Hachette

United States, United States of America

Illustrated, PT, 2019

4, 20191008

371 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : 25 cm
"As World War II raged into its second year, Britain sought a powerful ally to join its cause-but the American public was sharply divided on the subject. Canadian-born MI6 officer William Stephenson, with his knowledge and influence in North America, was chosen to change their minds by any means necessary. In this extraordinary tale of foreign influence on American shores, Henry Hemming shows how Stephenson came to New York--hiring Canadian staffers to keep his operations secret--and flooded the American market with propaganda supporting Franklin Roosevelt and decrying Nazism. His chief opponent was Charles Lindbergh, an insurgent populist who campaigned under the slogan "America First" and had no interest in the war. This set up a shadow duel between Lindbergh and Stephenson, each trying to turn public opinion his way, with the lives of millions potentially on the line."-- Provided by publisher
Includes bibliographical references and index
Preface -- Apprentice -- Spymaster -- Maverick -- Collaborator -- Ally -- Epilogue -- Afterword

The Question Of Whether America Should Get Into World War Ii Led To One Of The Largest And Most Consequential Political Feuds In Our History. The British Government, Already Pulled Into The War, Was Seeking To Recruit A Powerful Ally, But First They Needed The Help Of The American Public. The Mi5 Agent William Stephenson Was Chosen To Change Their Minds, By Any Means Necessary. In This Fast-paced And Surprising Book, Henry Hemming Shows How Stephenson Came To New York And Flooded The American Market With Propaganda In An Effort To Re-elect Franklin Roosevelt And Show The Devastation Wrought By The Nazis. His Chief Opponent Was Charles Lindbergh, An Insurgent Populist Who Campaigned Under The Slogan America First, And Had No Interest In The War. This Set Up A Shadow Duel Between Lindbergh And Stephenson, Each Trying To Turn Public Opinion His Way, With The Lives Of Millions Potentially On The Line--

2024-01-26